In Memoriam

Marie Dolansky, former professor of Mathematics at SDSU, passed away on March 8, 2014. She was 93. From 1981 until 1994 she taught mathematics at San Diego State University and at several community colleges in the San Diego area until her retirement. In her spare time, she devoted herself to various Czech organizations. In Boston she was on the Board of the Masaryk Club, and in San Diego she served as Executive Secretary of the Czech and Slovak Cultural Association and of the Friends of Czechoslovak Music organization. For several years she was Music Director of the House of Czech and Slovak Republics in Balboa Park. The three passions of her life were education, music (she was an accomplished pianist), and her Czech heritage. All three will be celebrated at her Celebration of Life ceremony on July 19, 2014, at 3pm, at the Hall of Nations, Balboa Park.

George Manning Richardson, 1983-2014A memorial was held for Manning on February 22nd in Encinitas at Oak Park. It was a celebration of his life, 2 days before his birthday. Friends were encouraged to dress in kung fu gear, 80′s outfits, or anything else that would represent the spirit of Manning.

Manning was admitted to the graduate program at SDSU where he received a Master of Science degree in Statistics in May 2012. He was pursuing a PhD in Computational Statistics at SDSU. He had taken a job with the online gaming company Zynga located in San Francisco in August 2013 where he was a systems analyst. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Sigma Theta honors groups.

The Department has established the George Manning Richardson Memorial Fund to support student scholarship and teaching endeavors. The funds will sponsor students and events that bring Manning’s passion for data analysis and statistical computing endeavors to their work and embody his energy, kindness, and quirkiness in their approach to statistics research and teaching. Contributions may be made out to The Campanile Foundation, with George Manning Richardson Memorial Fund in the subject line, and mailed to: George Manning Richardson Memorial Fund, San Diego State University, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-7720

Dr. Albert Raymond Harvey Math Chair, 1952-55, of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, passed away on February 6, 2013, at the age of 92. Born in Lewiston, Maine, on January 12, 1921, he earned his undergraduate degree from Bates College, and continued his education at Harvard earning his PHD in Mathematics. He moved to southern California in the late 1940s working at Cal Poly Tech as a professor, before moving to San Diego State University where he was a career advanced Mathematics professor for over 30 years. He also taught Mathematics at the University of Bagdad in 1957-58, established the Mathematics Department at the University of the Virgin Islands in 1962-63, and taught on a military craft en route to Vietnam. He made his residence in his beloved La Jolla, where he built two custom homes; one with his first wife, Ella, and the second with his second beloved wife and the love of his life, Janet. He was highly intelligent, knowledgeable, very social and loved being around people, traveling, playing tennis, watching football, baseball and late night talk shows and doing Sudoku and crossword puzzles. He was preceded in death by his second wife Janet McCarthy Harvey, and his first wife Ella Stuart Muir Irwin, along with his parents Eva and Robert Harvey of Lewiston Maine, and older brothers Edward and Robert Harvey. He is survived by his daughter Heather (Anton) DeGeus of Omao, Kauai, Hawaii; loving stepchildren Dorothy Capwell, George (Spike) Capwell, Robert Capwell, Kathleen McGuines and Jeanne Harris; 17 grandchildren (Megan Dedic, Cameryn Carpenter, Braeden DeGeus; Michelle Trotter, George, Joseph, Michael, Trevor, James and Richard Capwell; Brenda Morris, Robert, Matthew and Timothy Harris; Carrie Capwell; Mark, Tracy, Moira (deceased) and Sean McGuines), an uncountable number of great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews and their families (Jim Harvey, Janet Graddick, Betty Harvey, Kathy Walker, Robert Harvey, Karen Rader and their spouses.) A special thank you to his lifelong friends and tennis buddies in La Jolla (Lorraine, Russ and Bev, Bert, Bob, Bill, Roy, Larry, Paul, Gib, Lou and Ruth;) to the entire staff and caregivers at the Regency at Puakea who helped him (and me) so caringly and patiently and are too numerous to name individually (ok, I’ll try, Kathy, Randie, Valerie, Sharon(s), Linda, Christine, Perry, Cassie, Ritts, Radland, Chealsea(s), Marjory, Francesca, Remalyn, Dylan, Elizabeth, Edd, Chris, etc.;) to Kauai Hospice (especially Annie, Sharon, Jim and Dr. Jenkins) who helped with his medical and emotional needs; to the loving Hospice volunteers Pat Simpson, Ralph Stewart, Michael Buono and Ana Sherlot Handler who took the time to take him “out” to lunch weekly; to Humberto and the Alzheimer’s Society for their classes and support groups; and to the staff and Sun. baseball lunch bunch from Lihue McDonald’s who were so supportive to him on his daily lunches there. At his wish, there will be no service. No gifts or flowers are requested, but if you must, donate to the Alzheimer’s Society or Hospice Kauai.

Dr. Arnold Lewis Villone was born on December 15, 1934 in Niagara Falls, New York and passed into rest on February 1, 2013 in El Cajon, California at the age of 78 years. He is deeply missed by his wife Lynn, sons William Lewis Villone and Andrew Lewis Villone, sister Diane Simpao, grandchildren Isabella Sofia Grace, and Leo Emanuel Villone. Arnold lived in El Cajon, California for the past 44 years. He was proud of his career as a professor of mathematics at San Diego State University for 31 years and has inspired and mentored many students who appreciated and laughed with him through his illustrious career as a teacher. Arnold always demonstrated a unique and eccentric style while strutting through his life as a teacher, husband and father. This is the passing of a true giant who was loved by all. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of Arnold Villone to the Wounded Warrior project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Dr. Calvin Virgil Holmes of La Mesa, CA, born on October 21, 1924, passed away on October 5th, 2011. Viewing October 12th, 5 to 8pm, at Featheringill Mortuary (619-583-9511). Burial private. Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on October 9, 2011.

Dr. Charles Bernard Bell, Jr. died October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. He was 82. He was born in New Orleans, LA on August 20, 1928 to Charles B. Bell Sr. and Estelle T. Bell.

Dr. Lesley writes: I want to comment on the life of Chuck Bell, a remarkable man who has recently died. Chuck was from New Orleans and graduated from Xavier University, the only historically black Catholic University in the United States. He went on to earn his Ph.D. (1953) in Statistics from the University of Notre Dame. Chuck worked for Douglas Aircraft Co. for 4 years before and after finishing his Ph,D., and spent time at Xavier and at Stanford before joining our faculty at SDSU in 1958. Chuck was the second black faculty member at SDSU, and the first to be tenured. In 1964 he began a 2 year sabbatical that took him to several European centers, and on his return he took a position at Case Western, from which he went on to Professorships at Michigan, Washington and Tulane. He taught at the Univ. of Madrid in 1964 and in Sept. 1965 he went to the Institut de Statistiques (ISUP) in Paris. Kjell Doksum was there that year. He also visited statisticians in Tokyo and ISI in Calcutta. He spent time collaborating with Statisticians in Kenya, Nigeria and India. It is pretty clear that Chuck and his wife , Mary, were travelers. They also made a point of learning the language spoken wherever they were. It was hard to name a place that Chuck had not been to. I recall a conversation about Timbuktu. Chuck returned to SDSU in 1981, and stayed until 1992, when he retired.

Dr. Nicholas Branca passed away suddenly on Monday, February 25, 2008, while traveling in Australia. Nicholas will be greatly missed as a dear colleague and a highly respected scholar. This is our annual communique regarding the Nicholas A. Branca MemoriaL Scholarships. Again this year the Nicholas A. Branca Memorial Scholarship Foundation is pleased to be able to award two $3000 scholarships for the academic year 2017-18. We are seeking your help in making teachers and students aware of this opportunity. All teachers K-12 in the state of California interested in pursuing advanced degrees or certifications in mathematics education, as well as, students pursuing a PhD in mathematics education, are eligible to apply for these scholarships. PhD candidates are not required to have K-12 teaching experience. Previous winners are welcome to apply again. Applications are available at http://www.nicholasabrancafoundation.org/ We use the same application every year. Applications are due June 1. All applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, will be contacted shortly after July4. notifying them of the Foundation’s decision. Further questions should be directed to Melanie R. Branca at mbranca@sbcglobal.net or, by phone, at 619-807-1968.

Alma Morosz died on July 2, 2007. There was be a celebration of Alma Marosz’s life hosted by her daughter, Kathleen Marosz, on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at the La Mesa Community Center. A program and luncheon was held. Kathie Ross helped with the arrangements. The family suggests donations to the Alma Marosz Memorial Scholarship at the Reuben H. Fleet ScienceCenter, P.O. Box 93303,San Diego, CA 92163.

Dr. R. Deanne Branstetter was on our faculty from 1955 to 1981. Dr. Branstetter was born on June 29, 1918 and died March 12, 2007. He grew up on an 80 acre farm in Curryville, Missouri. Dean graduated from NE Missouri State Teachers College in 1940 with a BS in Mathematics. It was there that he met Geraldine Gehrke whom he married and celebrated 62 years of marriage before her death in 2005.

During WWII, Deanne served as a navigator in the Army Air Corps. After the war, he continued his graduate studies, completing his Masters at Vanderbilt University and his PhD in Mathematics at Iowa State University. His career then took him to Colorado Springs where he worked for the Air Defense Command as an Operations Analyst. After two years, he made a career change and moved his family to San Diego, where he taught mathematics at San Diego State College for 26 years. In 1967 he was honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award by the State of California.

The students at San Diego State also awarded him with an Outstanding Teacher Award. Professor Branstetter served as a member of the Statewide Academic Senate and served as Chairman of the San Diego State College Senate. Besides teaching, he served for a time as the Mathematics Department Chairman (1964-67) and as Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the College. He retired from teaching at San Diego State in 1981. Retirement led to touring much of the world and teaching as a guest professor at many universities. He taught Probability and Statistics for 10 years at Brigham Young University and also had assignments for teaching a semester in Hawaii and at Kansas State University. At BYU he was active as a volunteer in helping students prepare for their actuarial exams. BYU granted him the rank of Professor Emeritus and recognized him for outstanding service to the university. Burial is in Derby, Kansas.

Dr. Herbert A. Gindler, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Sciences at San Diego State University, suffered an apparent stroke on the evening of Tuesday, June 7, 2005 and died the next morning. Herb obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1950. He came to the Mathematics Department at SDSU in 1960, and earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics in 1961, under the direction of Angus Taylor at UCLA. Herb’s area of specialization was Functional Analysis and Operator Theory. He also published papers on the teaching of calculus. For personal reasons, Herb became interested in Diabetes, and he organized a continuing seminar in mathematical modeling of Diabetes in 1983. Many of our faculty participated in that seminar, which ran for several years.

Herb is survived by his ex-wife, Carol Geertz, his son Daniel, and his daughter Leah. A service was held on Sunday, June 12, 2005 with a reception of family, friends, and colleagues celebrating the life of Dr. Gindler.

Dr. Saul Drobnies, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Sciences at San Diego State University, died October 22, 2002, at San Diego Hospice, of lung cancer. He was born on June 8, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, and moved with his parents, Abraham and Lee Drobnies, to Dallas, Texas, when he was five years old. He graduated from Forest Avenue High School in Dallas in January, 1950, and briefly attended Southern Methodist University before moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where he received all of his academic degrees. He studied with the renowned mathematician and teacher, R. L. Moore, and completed his doctoral studies in 1961 under the guidance of Hubert S. Wall. Dr. Drobnies worked for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas, and taught mathematics at San Diego State University from 1963 until his retirement in the early nineties.

He is survived by his former wife and friend, Ana LaReal Drobnies, of San Diego; by his sister, Naomi Baxter, of Yorba Linda, California; and by his daughter, Adrienne Drobnies, and granddaughter, Ariel Fournier, both of Vancouver, Canada. Saul’s intelligence, humor, and gentle spirit will be missed by family, friends, and former students. No formal services were held and ashes were scattered at sea on November 1, 2002. Contributions may be made in his name to San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Avenue, San Diego, 92103.

Dr. Edgar Howard, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Sciences at San Diego State University, died September 20, 2001. Dr. Howard was born March 4, 1932 and grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At the age of 19 he joined the Marine Corps and served as a radio operator during the Korean War. (His elbow makes a short but significant appearance in the movie “Battle Cry.”) After his service, he returned to San Diego, where he had gone through basic training, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (1959) and a Master’s degree in Mathematics (1961) at San Diego State University. He then went into the Ph.D. program in Mathematics at New Mexico State University. On earning his Doctorate in 1964, Edgar spent two years at Idaho State University and in 1966 he became Assistant Professor of Mathematics at San Diego State University. He rose to the rank of Professor, and he retired in 1997. Edgar was a very fine teacher of Mathematics. He was named Most Influential Faculty Member by the outstanding graduating Math major 3 times. Additionally, he directed numerous Master’s theses.

Like Gene Lopez, who died in late 2000, Edgar was a fine teacher who was honored several times with awards for outstanding teaching. In their honor, the Department has established the Gene Lopez & Edgar Howard Memorial Fund. All contributions will be used to promote and enhance the “mathematical culture” of our undergraduate programs.

Dr. Gene Lopez was born in 1926 and grew up in La Verne, California during the Great Depression. After serving in the army during World War II, he earned a scholarship to attend The University of California at Los Angeles. After earning his B.S. in Mathematics in 1951, Gene went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Mathematics from UCLA in 1961, under the supervision of Magnus Hestenes.

Gene came to the Mathematics Department at San Diego State University in 1961. He was a gentle man whose quiet demeanor seemed to captivate students during his lectures. His classes were often on a list of most popular in the University, a distinction which is unusual for Mathematics courses. He won the TRW Excellence in Teaching Award in 1999. Gene retired from teaching in the Spring of 2000. The Department has established the Gene Lopez & Edgar Howard Memorial Fund. All contributions will be used to promote and enhance the “mathematical culture” of our undergraduate programs.